Introduction to Titus

This is it.  Ready, set, action....... the book of Titus is underway.  Before I introduce the essential points of this book though, I will display for you all a simple posting plan I created solely for this book.  I hope and I hope, with the intensity of my schedule, to post at least three times a week on this book.  Maybe more.  The maybe more is all speculation, but my thinking in this is that God deserves His due glory.  How can I, Josh, magnify His name as the highest name of all?  The answer is strictly simple, but requires much needed discipline.  I can magnify God's name more by continuing to blog about Him more consistently.  Consistency is the key.  I am the type of guy, who posts on this blog sporadically.  Granted, I have stepped up tremendously as of late, and the 30 day blog challenge has hopefully solved a piece of the inconsistency puzzle.  However, my direct motivation for posting should come from God alone, because He alone is worthy of all praise, and I believe my motivation is coming from Him.  Now, with all that said, we will begin Titus by establishing a solid foothold on the key components of this book.  

Matthew Henry refers to Titus as a letter that is vastly similar to Paul's letters to Timothy.  I gotta agree with that notion.  First, Timothy and Titus were both Gentile converts under Paul, and secondly, Timothy and Titus were effective leaders as pastors.  The latter portion is clearly evident within the book of Titus, which is a given in that Paul instructs Titus to effectively lead his flock by teaching them sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).  Also, Paul explains to Titus why he left him alone in Crete (Titus 1:5).  The purpose was for Titus to appoint elders in each district (church), so that the churches in Crete would establish themselves in the midst of an immoral city (Titus 1:12-13).  This was rather significant, because the churches in Crete desperately needed qualified leaders (Titus 1:6-9), like Titus and Timothy, to step up like real men and shepherd churches as if their lives depended on it.  To live within a city mucked up with countless tendencies toward sin, the Cretan Christians were in dire need of qualified, responsible elders in the church to lead them and hold them accountable when the going proved difficult.  Because of this, Paul kept Titus in Crete to create order within the Cretan churches.  

Most of all though, the major theme of this book is good works .  Paul advocates Titus to teach these things with all authority, because Christ is purifying for himself within Crete a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:14-15).  These people, the Cretan congregates, that are held accountable by the elders appointed by Titus in Chapter 1 will help spur these people onward towards good works.  To be capable of preaching the Gospel in the slums of the Cretan marketplace or to help someone out who is in massive trouble financially.  This is the Christian call.  Works does not save, but it is the ultimate calling of the Christian.  As Paul says emphatically in Chapter 3 to sift out any salvation by works proponents, he dynamically tells Titus with all passion to remind the Cretan people that they are saved not because of works done by them, but according to God's own mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).  This is definitely the focal point of the book.  

And, to think that Paul has stressed works enough within the book, he emphasizes it twice more.  In verse 8 of Chapter 3, Paul urges the Cretans to devote themselves to good works, since these things are profitable and excellent (Titus 3:8).  He also mentions it in the closing as he stresses the theme even more to Titus in order to get his point across (Titus 3:14).  So, with all due respect, the emphasis of good works in the book of Titus is lengthily drawn out, but so important for our lives today.  This is most definitey an excellent way to begin a new month as we strive to become more and more like Christ.  I believe this is going to be an elegant journey as we travel through this glorious book.  May God be with us.   

Sola Deo Gloria!!!!!!